Expedition Alaska

On 25 May, 2015 By lillahjarnanIn Blandat/mixed, In English, Resor/travel, Tävlingar/races, Träning/training, Utflykter/outingsLeave a comment

It’s time for a new adventure. If everything goes as planned my teammates and I will be race ready in a month. After deciding not to go through with the Ironman I felt like I wasted hundreds of hours of training. A Saturday morning on a mountaintop a new door opened and I realized that I should have planned for this months ago. This is so much more than a race, it’s an adventure, a crazy week, an opportunity of a lifetime. You don’t say no to an event like this. Glacier trekking, sea kayaking, pack rafting, whitewater rafting, trekking, mountains, lakes, biking, more trekking… I am going to Alaska.

http://expeditionak.com/

I am preparing, thinking, running, hiking, paddling and I get my bike out every now and then. And I did a little bit of rafting today. And thinking even more. It’s starting to come together. The only questions is how my body will work without sleep? And will the bears leave us alone? And how cold is the water? Will I be eaten alive by mosquitos? Getting my gear ready. Should I pack a couple of bear bells? Backpack, dry suite, paddle, helmet, shoes, bike, sleeping bag, shoes, poles, food, shoes, clothes, crampons, climbing gear… never ending…

Type A or B… or just plain crazy?

On 21 May, 2015 By lillahjarnanIn Blandat/mixed, In EnglishLeave a comment

No, I’m not talking about my blood type. My blood type is not interesting in this country since I am European and received blood transfusions years ago so I am not allowed to donate blood in WA. Why? We all know all Europeans have mad cow disease, that’s why. No, I am talking personality types. This is what I can remember from my sociology studies 20 something years ago when I was all into HR and headhunting. I went through a lot of tests back then, as an employer and an employee.

Type A: Rigidly organized, sensitive, impatient, concerned with time management, workaholic, hate delays and ambivalence…

Type B: Creative minds, doesn’t matter if they win or lose, enjoy achievement, reflective, enjoys to explore ideas.

I’ve never thought of myself as a Type A or B person but came through an article the other day that made me think. I’ve been laughing a bit about obsessive people that stresses about everything, I am generally pretty messy, leave stuff around, wait until the last minute. Well, that’s how I see myself. Cool, laid back and spontaneous. Right? A delight to be round.

When I read the article it actually felt like I read about myself. And I googled around a bit to read more. How is it even possible to think you are an easy going, unstressed type B and realizing you are a 100% type A. I obviously see myself totally different than the rest of the world experiences me. And I am sorry that you’ll have to be around me. I am really impatient and high-stressed. Chitchat and small talk can be ok but 100 texts or an email works so much better and more efficient. And I’ve always heard from my parents that I’m creative and fun… Now I know that parents should tell the truth.

So, here you have it. The facts that really shows that I am not a cool, laid back type B:

I hate wasting time. Waiting for people that are late to an appointment, waiting at the doctor, dentist etc., is a big waste of time. And I don’t even like when friends keep me waiting. If we say 11, be there at 11. If class starts at 5.30, be there 5.29 not 5.35. I hate being late.

I don’t like waiting in line. But if I really want my coffee, I’ll wait.

I have a hard time falling asleep. Not every day, not on long run days. And Fridays, I more or less pass out after a long week. Usually in front of a movie. I have seen the first 10 minutes of every single movie out there.

Low tolerance for incompetence, very low. Yes!

Overachiever. Well, I don’t know. Maybe if it is something I care about. And if it is something I know I can win, I need to win.

I constantly talk over people or interrupt. Ouch, I am sorry, but I do. And I am a lot worse in Swedish than in English. If you speak too slow I will finish the sentence for you.

Have a hard time to relax. I don’t really know about that. I can be super chill… if I know that everything is planned and kids are doing fine. If I have my list…

I am lost without my to-do lists. Yes, packing lists, to-do lists, grocery lists, calendar, planner, writing notes to myself and leave by the bed or in the car…

Always in a rush. Yes, you don’t want to waste time. And I always set my alarm 10 minutes early just in case. I even plan my 10 minutes of snoozing.

Sensitive to stress, eh… not really. Or maybe… If you leave me alone, I’ll be fine.

And if I ask what you want for dinner, if you want red or white, etc… give me an answer, don’t say I’ll have what you’re having.

This can’t be right. Since this felt kind of depressing, I decided to take a personality test online. I actually did it twice to make sure I didn’t lie the first time. Conclusion – I am awesome (and 100% type A).

Teanaway hike again

On 17 May, 2015 By lillahjarnanIn Blandat/mixed, In English, Träning/training, Utflykter/outingsLeave a comment

A new day, new adventures. Life is now a strange mix of CrossFit, hiking, climbing, kayaking and rafting. All because of new plans and goals. So exciting, so scary, so much fun.

Friday nights are always a nice finish of a full week. We usually meet up with our extra family and have dinner. Not this Friday. I had a busy day and I squeezed in a CrossFit class with some snatches and jump rope since I really need to work on my snatches. I finally left the house 5.30 and drove towards the mountains. A very full and heavy backpack, food for 24h just to be sure (or packed calories that tastes mostly like chocolate), new hiking shoes to break in and an extra puffy coat. Picked up Robin and an extra sleeping bag on the way and took off. The plan was to reach the ridge by Navaho peak and sleep a few hours and then move east instead of west as we did last time. It was a lot of snow from around 6000ft that we wanted to avoid. We left the parking lot at 9pm and started walking. We reached the ridge as planned, it didn’t feel as hard as it did last time when we had lighter packs. I remember the last steep part that looks like you’re on the moon as the worst possible hill. I think we walked it in 5 minutes this time. Hopefully a good sign. We got the tiny tent up, got dressed and ate a little. After sliding around like a worm in a very tight sleeping bag I actually think I slept a few hours divided up in 15 minutes chunks. Sweaty on my upper body and freezing knees down. I need to bring more clothes next time so I have something dry to put on.

One peanutbutter bar and a big bottle of almost warm tea and we felt ready to move. Before the sun was up we started walking again. The view up there is indescribable. I need to get myself a tiny camera to keep hand, the phone is not enough.

We walked and scrambled for a few hours and moved west over the ridge following goat tracks. It was a bit sketchy and tricky from time to time. A lot of ice/snow and loose rocks. Robin is a lot more confident and faster than I am and sliding around on the mountain edge with a heavy pack is not really my cup of tea.

We ended the day with what felt like an eternity of bushwhacking before we reached the trail that took us back to the car. A long walk/slide downhill, climbing over fallen trees after years of avalanches.

A beautiful outing!

Jo’s new camera

On 13 May, 2015 By lillahjarnanIn OkategoriseradeLeave a comment

I stole a few pictures…

Caroline 16

On 12 May, 2015 By lillahjarnanIn Barnen/kids, Blandat/mixed, In EnglishLeave a comment

One of the best things that I have ever accomplished happened 16 years ago. Early morning, 30 minutes after ringing the doorbell at the hospital a little energetic girl was born. I had instructions to call the cardiologist on call but he didn’t make it on time. I remember telling them that I thought it would be a very good idea if they could hurry up and get me signed in. We didn’t even get in to a room. After endless complications the months before it was such a relief to see her and hold her. A few days early and very eager to see the world, just big enough and very cute. We went home 6 hours later and introduced Caroline to her big sister.

16 years feels like a very long time but at the same time just like a short moment, a blink. From the first years of princess dresses, curly hair and always a chocolate mustache to the lego and lizzard era. Around 4 she decided to become a full time pirate and dress in black, camouflage and sculls. It lasted a few years before she eased up a bit on the colors and the occasional eyepatch. She also had Ralph Lauren year when she only wore polo shirts in different colors every day, 14 different shades. The last 7-8 years has been a climbing phase that is here to stay. Or that is what I think. So is the short hair. She is such a strong and confident young woman.

We have spent a lot of time together, especially this past year. I am so fortunate to have all three kids very close and they don’t seem to mind having me around. We have a pump up thing going every afternoon in the car. A 10-15 minute drive to climbing practice, a couple of songs that we like and gladly sing out load to. Here is one. And what really happened at the schoolyard?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H997IZkkO4Y

Happy Birthday Grattis på födelsedagen Caroline

Wednesday

On 6 May, 2015 By lillahjarnanIn Barnen/kids, Blandat/mixed, Träning/trainingLeave a comment

The day passed and I haven’t done much according to the manual today. I didn’t get out of bed until late. Why? I forced myself to lay low and wait for the right moment. Staying in bed after 7.30 feels like someone punched you very hard in the face. Not pleasant. The kids had a day off school and I thought it was a good opportunity to do nothing. I dragged myself to the gym around 9 and didn’t do much right there either. I don’t fly very high at the moment, more dragging my feet and mourning that I can’t run as much as I would like. It will pass… But I actually got stuff done after lunch and managed to get a speedy gear in. Laundry, lunch with kiddos, vacuuming, some actual work and dinner, dessert and got some baking done. Doing great on the housewife stuff for a change. Rolled chocolate/oat/coconut balls, baked cookies, made pasta with chicken and veggies, a rhubarb crumble and danced a little at the same time and got called out for some pics. I have one talented daughter that loves taking pictures.

The kids and I went to the movies last night and we finally got to watch Avengers. Let me just say that some of us felt pretty excited. And I apparently laugh too much, embarrassing. And I finished all the popcorn before the movie. I don’t know if it was the movie itself or the pretty faces that was most appreciated. One of us actually brought Thor’s hammer to the movies. It’s always a treat to spend a night with all three girls. They are all the loveliest kids, growing up, taller than me, smart and bright, with a great future ahead. Three girls and three very different faces and personalities.

I am all into dreams/goals at the moment. I guess I’ve always been. You know that it’s basically the same thing, why dream if it’s not a goal? I was thinking about getting a new, faster and smaller car but no… why not spend the money on something absolutely fantastic? My dream race popped up around the corner and I actually have an opportunity to join. And all I want for Christmas is a sea kayak and a pack raft. All those thoughts of ability, toughness, craziness and fitness level are bubbling round in my mind. It’s now or never. Can I function without sleep for days? Will I freak out? Fears and dreams are basically the same thing when you think about it. And can I heal my knee in a few weeks? And when I ask the coach and other important and very great people the only answer I hear is YES! Super exciting, adventurous, lots of surprises and very scary. Like one of those illegal and scary Kinder eggs.